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The presented patch is the cloth version (machine embroidered) of the Gold Grade German National Sports Badge (DRA). The embroidery is done with gold thread on a black, rectangular cloth backing. The item is in very good condition, with minimal, natural signs of age and storage.
Material: Black felt/fabric with machine embroidery in gold thread.
Dimensions: Rectangular shape, visible fraying on the edges (typical for patches that were cut from a larger sheet of material).
Design: Centrally placed stylized letters "DRA" (Deutscher Reichsausschuss für Leibesübungen) within an oval oak leaf wreath, tied at the bottom with a double bow. This version does not have a swastika.
Markings: No visible manufacturer markings on this specific example, which is common for cloth versions.
Condition: The item appears to be unworn or very lightly used, with no visible damage or fraying of the main embroidery.
Historical Information
The German National Sports Badge (Deutsches Reichssportabzeichen, DRA) was originally established as a civilian award in 1912. It was issued for outstanding sporting achievement and physical fitness. The organization awarding this decoration, the Deutscher Reichsausschuss für Leibesübungen (DRA), existed until 1934. After the NSDAP came to power, the sports organization was reorganized and renamed the Deutscher Reichsbund für Leibesübungen (DRL), and the name of the award changed accordingly. Versions of the badge featuring a swastika, placed at the base of the wreath, were introduced later, between 1935 and 1937, depending on the specific variant. The presented example with the "DRA" letters and without a swastika therefore dates from the earlier period, the Weimar Republic or very early Third Reich, before 1935. It was a civilian decoration, but due to the emphasis on physical fitness, it was commonly worn on the uniforms of various formations, including the Reichswehr, Wehrmacht, and SS.